It has been quite a few days since the last blog. Hopefully we can get back into the routine again. Alex has been shouting out "home" in the middle of the night hoping she can go back to the place she spent her first 21months of life. There's no basement to play in, no stairs to climb and no place to run around in circles here at the rental apartment. At least there is a bath that Alex can have some fun in.

Mum bought Alex a DVD player for Christmas and that has also had a lot of use since moving here.

For the most part Alex has been very nice to Samantha but there has been a few instances when Alex has deliberately scratched and grabbed at her baby sister.

Dad found the Potty DVD the other day and Alex hadn't listened to it in a while so she spent a good hour watching it over and over.



Mum has been eating fruit loops on a regular basis and Alex wanted to cook some up in a pan.

With no basement as Alex's designated play area the toys are spread out everywhere and there are always some new ones popping up with the visit from Meme, Deb from Mums work and then Gran Ma from Australia.



Samantha spends a lot of time up on the table sitting in a recliner away from the dangers of Alex and her playing.

Alex has been jumping off things and her potty was a good safe height to try.

Samantha only drinks milk and Alex thought she might like one of her gold fish for a change.

Whilst Dad was out one evening Alex and Mum had a clean up with Alex on vacume duty.

Alex spent a good amount of time in both these swings when she was younger and she wanted to try it again to join her sister for a swing session.

Mum thinks Alex is going to become a runner and Samantha a swimmer. The bath has brought out many smiles and plenty of kicking and fun for Samantha so far.

With the Redskins well and truly out of the football games these days and the unexpected loss of the Patriots, Alex has been wearing Poppy's team Jersey during the playoffs. At least there is one person that likes that!

During half time of the football Alex played in the fridge for a while to see what she could find to spill on the Jersey.

Alex spent most of the day with Meme and Mum. Meme did some baking and Alex helped out and when Samantha was awake Alex sat and played with her.

Alex also likes to hold Samantha's bottle so she eats and then sleeps and then Alex gets everyone's full attention whilst Samantha sleeps.

Alex likes to have an ice block from time to time and with all the snow outside Alex has to find things to do indoors. Mums shoes came in handy for about half an hour of play time.

Meme arrived today and Alex pulled out some tools and showed Meme a thing or two on how to use a tape measue.



Alex also checked some screws in the door with a screwdriver.

Samantha had plenty of attention from Meme all day and Alex wanted to get close too!

Mum and Alex went downstairs for a couple of trips. One to get the mail and the other to wash some clothes seeing we don't have our own washing machine. A couple of Alex's friends came along too.

It has been quite a few days since the last posting. Internet was disconnected ready for the move and it didn't get connected to our rental place until a good 10 days later. It was a busy last week full of moving and cleaning and Alex kept busy by helping and then playing with anything and everything.

Alex even helped with some cleaning and rubbing marks off the walls was fun.



Samantha slept for most of the packing and moving and sometimes was forgotton with all the work to be done.

Some more sleeping was in store.



Alex made the most of Samantha's awake times and got close for a photo and to say hi to her baby sister.

Alex had plenty of kisses and hugs for Samantha when she could get close enough.



The new "temporary" place we are living at now has carpet throughout and Alex likes running on it, playing with Dad's shoes and Mum says Alex can drop anything she wants on the floor because it won't put a ding in it it like the bamboo floor from the last place!

The carpet is pretty good for head stands and tumbles too!



Samantha is getting big enough to try a few of Alex's old toys and the swing came out of storage and Alex gave it a try for old times sake.

Alex was awake early this morning and it was hard for Dad to leave the house for work with the clingy Alex. It meant Mum had to get up and play with Alex and also keep an eye on Samantha.

Alex and Samantha hung out together and for most of the time Alex is very friendly to Samantha but sometimes Alex gets a little mad and as Mum calls it "Alex wasn't very nice", and gets herself into trouble.



Alex has still been pulling off her cloths and finds it easier to run around like that. Alex also gave a try at a few handstands.

It has been tough to post regular blogs lately with all the packing and moving responsibilities. Samantha has been a good help by sleeping allot and Alex even lets her have Petunia to sleep with from time to time.

Mum keeps Alex involved with the packing and after a box is full Alex likes to put her thumb up. (not sure where she learnt that from!)

The DVD player has been playing non stop most days and Alex likes to copy some of the moves from sesame street. Not sure if she is driving here or doing some kind of dance routine.

The other thing Alex has been doing is taking off her shirt and pants and running around the room or just playing without them even though it is below freezing outside.

There were only a couple of photo's today and one was of Alex dancing in front of the TV. Not sure what happened to her clothes.

Mum needs a little foot stool to reach for anything high up and Alex has been watching and thought about trying it out for herself.

Alex spent the morning with Mum whilst Dad was busy with a few things and it looks like Alex worked up a sweat kicking the ball around and took her clothes off to do it. Mum was impressed with Alex's follow through on the kick!

Alex and Samantha are still getting to know each other and Alex stops by for a kiss every now and then.

A few weeks back Poppy taught Alex how to come down the stairs safely backwards. Mum has been teaching Alex to walk down and she made it the whole way unassisted tonight.